The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-09-24
Dead, Yet Alive.

Fifteen years ago this March
Henry Bastian, then an intelligent
colored boy of seventeen, was a ser
want in the house of II fairly promi-
nent Philadelphia physician, who
was regarded by professional breth-
rem as man of eccentric ideas. He
made diseases of the mind his spec
ialty-or more properly speaking
his one peculiar hobby-and dab
bled in the unrecognized sciences Of
psychology and mesmerism. The
boy Henry was singulaily apt for
one of his years, and took the great
est delight in arguing with his mas
ter on such subjects, and in gaining
q general knowledge of medicine
and surgery whenever the opportun-
ity offered.
Two years ago the physician died,
leaving behind him strange story
of how this youthful enthusiasm
proved to be the lads mental ruin
and caused him to become IL living
physical organism, but bereft of
everything that made him account
able to his maker or his fellow man.
The history Of the case is probably
without parallel in medical annals.
1t was secured with great difficulty
and then in such fragmentary form
as to be without consecutiveness.
Careful fitting and dove-tailing, how
reveals coolly premeditated and
carefully executed crime, not pun
ishable under any statue, although
in fact murder without killing
the physical body. In diary Of
1869, belonging to the dead physi-
clan, under date Of March 8, was
found the following entry, which is
probably the starting point for what
follows
"Henry's theory about superAu-
Gus brain cells is certainly novel
and if the boy were not precocious ]
would laugh at it. There may bt
something in it, but how can it bC
proven?'
Under the date of March II il
found 1t second entry, which very
clearly indicates the train of though
into which the writer was drifting
Comparative anatomy" he says
"does not go lar enough. Henry
crude suggestion has awakened
within me an entirely new set o
ideas. All | need now is a subject
1 can see already a great future 70
myself and greater benefit t.
science. A subject is all that i
needed
Between March II and March 2
the leaves Of the diary are, with tn
exception Of some irrelevant memor
anda, blank, and under the latte
date are written the following word
of he is perfectly willing, l see n,
reason why l should hesitate. l cal
certainly stop should any ill effec
appear"
The leaves OF the diary from tn
last named date up to April 2 wer
torn out and missing. They evi
IDENTIFY contained some conclusion
for on April 2 the doctor writes; 81
will be better for me to act alone il
this matter. If anything be provel
the credit belongs to me alone.
any risk be incurred, alone shoult
bear it.
A partial explanation Of this en-
try is found under a subsequen
date, April 8, but which in all pro
liability had been written previousl
at is strange says the physician
'that the very same thought shoulC
be possessed by both of us at on
time. Henry knows perfectly wei
what danger may arise. l feel tina
he is thoroughly sincere. am un
willing to do the lad harm, but sucl
an opportunity" and here tn
thought abruptly ends. On tn
same page, lower down, are fey
words evidently put down som
days later: "It must be, or else II
begin to think Pm getting weak an,
childish"
April II chronicles the following
Gam now thoroughly convinced tina
the operation can be performed with
out the slightest danger. Infam
nation is about the only thing
care about now, and that is eas,
enough to control. If there doe
exist particular passion, it can b
sacrificed, without injury to tn
structure as whole. Superhuou
cells cannot exist, but, thank Goo
the boys foolish suggestions wi
l hope, result in grand discovery
l am perfectly satisfied"
| 1t is difficult to determine wheth
er the dates given are the dates O.
which the entries were made, bt
cause the next record that woul
| co1lo..,